Lazaro Barrera

Those who backed him into 2-5 would have had a few nervous moments late, but Collusion Illusion kicked it in for the final furlong and rolled past pacesetting Ragtime Blues en route to an ultimately convincing victory in the GIII Laz Barrera S. at Santa Anita. Ragtime Blues won the break and dictated terms early, while Collusion Illusion, last of the five in the opening exchanges, tugged Flavien Prat into a share of second after a quarter in :21.90. The front-runner pinched a break without really being asked by Mike...

Collusion Illusion (Twirling Candy) tops a five-horse renewal of the GIII Lazaro Barrera S. Saturday at Santa Anita. Opening his account with a pair of wins last summer at Del Mar, including the GII Best Pal S., the bay was pulled up and walked off in the GI American Pharoah S. when trying two turns at Santa Anita Sept. 27. Cut back to six panels for his sophomore bow in Arcadia May 17, he scored a decisive three-length victory. Ragtime Blues (Union Rags) represents the powerhouse barn of Bob Baffert....